The Other Star of 'This Is It,' Guitarist Orianthi Panagaris

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Editor’s Pick

OCTOBER 30, 2009 8:10AM

Rate: 6 Flag

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24-year-old Orianthi Panagaris, the lead guitarist for Michael Jackson's "This Is It. "

If you found yourself in a theater watching the much hyped Michael Jackson concert rehearsal film, This Is It, as I did last night in Nashville, you likely found a happy surprise tucked inside.

Orianthi Panagaris.

How is it that I didn't really know who Orianthi Panagaris is before last night?

I wonder.

This 24-year-old Greek-Australian virtuoso guitarist is truly the wonder, asked several months ago to audition for Michael Jackson's band in anticipation of the final concert tour. Blonde hair blowing in the fans, fingers blazing, Orianthi burns up the stage next to the entertainment legend.

The film footage is cut in such a way that it is lovingly supportive of the musicians and dancers who surrounded Michael Jackson in the final months of his life in this project. As Michael says to Orianthi near the end of the film, encouraging her to go full-out on a guitar solo, "This is your time to shine."

This is your time to shine, Orianthi. And I have no doubt you're about to do it.

On the Web:

Orianthi Panagaris MySpace page

Orianthi Music MySpace page

"This Is It" is only the beginning - Salon

Lead guitarist Orianthi Panagaris burning the stage with Michael Jackson in rehearsal footage of "They Don't Really Care" from the film "This Is It."

Virtuoso guitarist Orianthis Panagaris in her own words.

Photo of Orianthia Panagaris courtesy Orianthi Panagaris.

Author tags:

entertainment, musicians, this is it film, this is it musicians, guitar solo, virtuoso guitar, lead guitarist, guitar, kenny ortega, michael jackson, this is it, orianthi, orianthi panagaris

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Comments

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She's one damn fine guitar player, who'll be on the scene for years to come. ~R~

Chuck A. Stetson

October 30, 2009 08:20 AM

The film is worth the price of admission just to see her performance. I'll see it at least a second time in initial release just to let it simmer some more.

Kathy Riordan

October 30, 2009 08:30 AM

This sounds like a film worth seeing...and thanks for highlighting the 24 year old guitarist. Amazing.

marytkelly

October 30, 2009 08:43 AM

Kathy, you might want to look for some of the videos on Desiree Bassett on YouTube. I believe she is sixteen now - and just remarkable.

Catherine

Catherine Forsythe

October 30, 2009 03:31 PM

She's awesome. It's something I always liked about Prince too, that he gave room to women to be great musicians and recognized for it, Sheila E. being and example, although I know he also had women guitarists and bassists over the years. Awesome videos in general. Thanks.

madcelt

October 30, 2009 04:37 PM

Sorry everyone, been on the road all day between Nashville and Atlanta. Thanks for your comments here.

Chuck, absolutely. Damn fine.

Mary, it is worth seeing, and she's worth highlighting.

Catherine, will check that out. Thanks.

madcelt, you make an excellent point about Prince (also known as the Artist Formerly Known As) doing the same thing with women. I was well impressed with this aspect of the film last night particularly. He gave her a great gift. Fly, baby bird. Fly.

Can't wait to see this again, actually.

Kathy Riordan

October 30, 2009 08:40 PM

She's very good, and yes, I agree she deserves to be on the scene. How do find this stuff? I know, I know; you're just that good.

Thanks Kathy for the links.

Rated.

Thoth

October 30, 2009 11:11 PM

I'll be going to see it now Kathy. Thanks for digging this out of all the murky stuff. ~R

Kate Bishop

October 31, 2009 01:10 AM

I just watched a video of Orianthi playing the guitar solo from Beat It! She really nailed it. It was so awesome. She is probably one of the best guitar players I have seen recently!!! She was Michael Jackson’s guitar player for the “This Is It” tour. Her new single “According To You” is really awesome as well. She really does a great job of mixing pop music with excellent guitar playing. Anyway the link for Beat It is here: http://www.iheartradio.com/cc-common/ondemand/music.html?apid=6169&cmp=orianthi. Definitely check her out. She is amazing.

Barry Wyatt

November 06, 2009 01:11 PM

Oh baby, so much music, so little time!

Harriet Why

November 12, 2009 11:26 PM

Glad you found your way over here, Harriet. Orianthi is worth the trip.

Kathy Riordan

November 12, 2009 11:34 PM

I'm starting a Super Group in Canada called Right Now. We've made 4 OFFICIAL Drum War Challenges to Australian born Orianthi Panagaris's drummer....Mike Baker. No official reply.

Right Now Drum War Challenges:
Ode to Moby Dick: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVOUUqicwVE
Official Drum War Challenge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tWzS5-uRMc
Another Official Drum War Challenge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuM8r6B1wkc
THIS ONE IS HILARIOUS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j5kWFsOZ0k

Cassius Mozart

November 16, 2010 06:51 PM

She is really talented. As a female guitar player, she inspires me to be as good as she is. I've been looking for tips on how to perform better because crowds make me nervous. I found improvement in my guitar-playing after buying nifty guitar picks from this resource -- http://v-picks.com/. Anybody know any other useful sites for improving guitar-playing?

guitarpicks

January 27, 2011 06:03 AM

i think its amazing,when you think about it,,,how orianthi and avril could be sisters....!!!

schmidtnstein

October 30, 2011 08:22 PM